All
down the ages, people use different concepts to explain health issues which
is popularly known as the Theories of health. In the ancient age, the influence
of the evil spirit, witchcraft, and the wrath of a vengeful God, was treated to be
the cause. Ancient Greeks and medieval Europeans treated it due to the possible
imbalance of Phlegm, choler, or yellow bile, blood, and black bile. Subsequently, the theory of contagion for the leper and other skin diseases came into focus. Till
1800, cancer and mental health were treated to be contagious.
Up to
the mid of 19th century, miasma theory continued which explains that diseases
grow out of rotting organic matter which was supported by malaria. The germ
theory was very ancient and couldn't dominate till the discovery of microscopic
organisms. In the late 19th century Henle-Koch postulated metabolism, hormones
biochemical causes of diseases. Sigmund Freud explained mental, emotional and
emotional personality with the health of human beings.
Environmental pollution both by human beings and natural has created many types
of virus in the air causing pandemics like CORONA and many more virus-caused diseases. The emotional imbalance caused has provoked them to take tobacco, alcohol, and other addictives causing recurring illnesses.
The
definition of health has gone beyond the mere absence of diseases to a complete
well-being of an individual. The definition is given by WHO on 7th October 2011 as
"A state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely
the absence of disease or infirmity". The three dimensions of the
definition constitute (1) the absence of diseases or impairment (2) a state that
allows the individual to adequately cope with all demands of daily life
(including the absence of disease and impairment). (3) a state of balance and equilibrium that an individual has established within himself and his social and
physical environment.
From a
handful of imaginary witches to its social and physical environment- the base
is getting wider and wider involving more and more people in it in varieties of
ways. So the solution only lies with us. What is required is an attitude of
honesty in everything we do and think.
Retd. Prof. of Political Science,
Chairman, PECUC
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